Do Smart Plugs Save Money? Energy Cost Calculator for Renters
See what a plugged-in device really costs you each month, including the standby power it sips while you sleep. Then see how much a smart plug schedule could shave off. Made for renters: no rewiring, no electrician, the plug just sits between the outlet and the device.
Short answer: a smart plug saves money only when a device wastes standby power. A TV sipping 5W while off can waste roughly $6 a year doing nothing, and a smart plug on a schedule wipes that out. Enter your numbers below to see your exact savings.
Renter tip: standby waste is the easiest win in an apartment. A smart plug on a schedule kills it automatically, and at move-out you just unplug it. Nothing to uninstall, nothing to explain to the landlord.
Estimates only, based on the numbers you enter. Actual cost depends on your utility rate, rate plan, and real usage. Wattages above are typical values, not measurements of your exact device.
Smart Home Energy Cost Calculator
Add up every smart device in your apartment and see the total electricity cost per month and per year. Pick a device, adjust its watts and daily hours, set how many you own, and add as many rows as you need.
| Device | kWh / month | Cost / month | Cost / year |
|---|
Note on thermostats: the thermostat row covers the thermostat device itself only, not your heating or cooling system. HVAC energy is a separate, much bigger number on your bill.
Estimates only, based on the numbers you enter. Wattages are typical values for common devices, not measurements of your exact model. Actual cost depends on your utility rate, rate plan, and real usage.
How we calculate: monthly kWh equals watts times hours per day times 30, divided by 1000. Monthly cost equals monthly kWh times your electricity rate. Yearly cost is the monthly cost times 12. The default rate is $0.18 per kWh, so change it to match your own bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smart plugs worth it?
Yes, when a device wastes standby power. A TV or game console sipping 5W around the clock wastes roughly $6 a year doing nothing, and a smart plug on a schedule wipes that out. If a device draws no standby power at all, the plug is still handy for schedules and remote control, just not for savings.
Do smart plugs waste electricity?
A smart plug itself uses about 1W on standby, which costs under $2 a year at average US rates. In most homes it saves more than it uses, because it cuts the standby draw of the device plugged into it. The calculator above shows your exact numbers.